I was switched antidepressants and I am having a lot of side effects. Is it normal? & for how long?

I was on cipralex (only for a few wks, before that was celexa for a few months) and my dr just switched me to Luvox. I have had some experience with this med, I was on it for years actually but that was over a decade ago and I don't remember much about the med or how it made me feel. Right now I am having symptoms such as; shaking, heightened anxiety, chills, sweats, goosebumps, upset stomach, severe headache, agitation, and I'm having more suicidal thoughts... Like a lot more! I was wondering if this was normal? And how long it will last? Tonight is the third pill of Luvox I've taken so the last time I took the other meds was four days ago. Pls help! Any imput is appreciated!

Responses (3)

You are probably feeling a combination of withdrawal from previous antidepressant and start side effects of the new one. This is going to take several weeks to straighten out. Withdrawal symtpoms can last several weeks while start up side effects usually last a couple weeks and it will take upwards of a month to feel max effectiveness from the new antidepressant. If the discmfort and /or the suicidal ideation becomes more than you can manage, please don't hesitate to call the doc and get thy self to an ER if needed.

I can't even imagine feeling how I do for that long! Sometimes (such as last night) it becomes really unbearable... I was gonna call an ambulance but I don't know what to say. Do I just tell them my symptoms? Because if I did that wouldn't they just treat me for the flu? (IV fluids & Gravol) I have a crisis line number as well, but feel like an idiot using it. How do I get past these feelings?

Don't hesitate to use the crisis hotline number if you need to. The physical symptoms will gradually get better and the suicidal ideation will go away so remind yourself of this often. Where you are is no fun, but I promise it can and will get better.

I would definitely contact the dr. who prescribed this antidepressant for you. It's possible that you are not capable of taking that particular antidepressant. Please call the dr.'s office and ask the nurse if the symptoms you are experiencing is normal. It doesn't sound normal to me. Im on tricyclic antidepressants, called Tofranil. The med are you taking is called SSRI. they worked differently. The tricyclics like Tofranil and Elavil are the older antidepressants, but are very good for high anxiety. They also can help you to sleep better. If you continue having problems with the SSRI meds, ask your dr. about the tricyclic antidepressants. I hope you start to feel better soon!

I have been going through exactly what you are feeling for about a month or more. The medication I was on is called clonazepam. I have been on it for about 6 or 7 years for anxiety. I had no idea what kind of medication it was until I didn't have it anymore. you are going through withdrawals and it feels like hell. I have not slept in over a good month because of the anxiety attacks. You may have to make a trip to the ER if your pulse rate gets too high. The last time I went which was on the 18th of April, they had to actually give me oxygen and small dosage of Ativan via an i.v. in order to get me to relax and to get my heart rate under control. I live alone and it was very scary but I found a ride. Do not drive yourself to the ER. I hope I have helped you in some way.. just know that it will eventually get better as I have been told but I am still waiting to feel like myself again. don't give in to the bad thoughts and just know that you are not alone in the agony that you are experiencing.

I was on 2mg clonazapam at night for almost ten years. I felt awful coming off of it but my dr prescribed a medication normally used for alcohol withdrawal. I think it was called diazepam. I took three days at one dose and three more days at a lower dose and I felt fine. After hearing a lot of horror stories from this med I was surprised how easy it was. Is this something your dr might be able to try for you? It really helped me!

thank to the reply from melindasue.. I will try to keep the email so that I will be able to ask my doctor about some way to help me... I really appreciate your help and you let me know that there is a away to not have to keep going through this agony of withdrawing from clonazepam... on thing I have noticed is that every doctor that I've been to since my withdrawals started my primary and emergency room physician have stated that clonazepam is one of the hardest medications to stop taking. you would think they would let you know what they are giving to you when you start these med... unfortunately for me, I only knew that it stopped me from having panic attacks and I never questioned the med... thanks for the reply once again.

Tell your doctor about any side effects. Usually, if you are having any side effects you should stop taking the medication. Most antidepressants cause more harm than good, and can even make the depression worse. I would stay away from antidepressants all together and look into alternatives for dealing with your depression. Small changes to your diet can have a significant effect on your depression. If you are having suicidal thoughts, the last thing you want is an antidepressant medication, they more often make this worse. All antidepressants are very experimental, and doctors really aren't 100% on how to cure depression with drugs. Treating anything to do with the brain is guess work, even simple head aches.

I don't think some of the comments you made are too fair. I've changed my diet and exercise. I've been to a naturopath. I've spent thousands of dollars and in my case I DO need antidepressants. It's just the switch that is getting to me, but I finally see my dr again tomorrow! Yay hopefully she can help. She's great with these things. Thanks for the comment. Melinda